Scene XII

Estelle, who feels she must always have a man, sits on the sofa with Garcin. She reminds him that she is very attractive and begs him to take her in his arms forever. Garcin tells her she should turn to Inez for help. She says that she could never love a lady. Estelle then tells Inez to leave her alone and spits in her face. Inez calls her a silly bitch and tells her she will always watch Garcin when he is with her so that they will not have the opportunity to make love alone. When Inez grabs Garcin's arm for approval, he pushes her away. He says that he is no gentleman and has no compunction about striking a woman.

Garcin looks down to earth and sees into the pressroom. Since the windows are closed, he assumes that it must be winter. He thinks it is strange that they could be cold when he feels so hot. When he listens to the conversation in the room, he hears Gomez saying ugly things about him again; he wishes he could be there to defend himself. He turns to Estelle and asks for her help and trust. She confesses that she has totally given herself up to him, but she has no trust to give.

The characters continue to torture one another. Estelle turns to Garcin and begs him to hold her in his arms forever. He cruelly suggests that she turn to Inez for help. Estelle retaliates by spitting in Inez's face, causing Inez to call her a silly bitch. Inez also promises to constantly watch Estelle and Garcin so that they will never have the opportunity to make love unobserved. When Inez grabs Garcin's arm seeking approval, he pushes her away and promises to strike her if she does not leave him alone. It is obvious that the characters create their own Hell through their interactions with each other, and what one person does really affects all three of them.

Garcin also tortures himself by looking down to earth and seeing into the pressroom. He is upset when he hears Gomez again saying ugly things about him, especially since he cannot be there to defend himself. He also thinks it odd that they could be cold on earth when he feels so hot in Hell.

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